Family Emergency home Repairs
Donation protected
My Family of 5 has been Homeless since April 16th. We have been living in a hotel. The hotel we are in is not conducive to cooking for a family of 5. It has been hard to cook meals and provide my family with the necessary dietary requirements for their disabilities.
My upstairs sanitary line from the bathroom broke and gallons of contaminated water has destroyed our kitchen. The walls, ceiling, cabinets, and the counter have all been damaged by this contaminated water making our home inhabitable until the damaged soaked material, mold and mildew has been removed. This all started on the 16th around 7 pm and I was able to turn the water off because at that time I was unaware of where the water was coming from. I set out buckets to contain some of the water that was pouring from above the cabinets. Our home insurer placed us in a hotel. We were advised everything would be taken care of through our insurance except for our $1500 and the plumbing bill. The plumbing is considered normal wear of a home and will not be covered by our insurance company.
Saturday April 17th, we contacted a local plumbing company that said they would open the wall and make the repair. When the emergency plumber arrived that evening, they refused to do any work and within 5 minutes handed me a quote for a $500 repair and demanded that I pay the $125 emergency fee. The plumber also said they would call a restoration company. I had to ask them to call them in front of me and he left a voicemail. I refused to pay this fee since no service was completed. Saturday night and Sunday we received no communication from the plumbing company or the restoration company they claimed to work with.
Sunday the 18th, we contacted a restoration company that came out and set up a dehumidifier to start drying out the wet material. They also removed a small section of the ceiling, removed 2 cabinets, and replaced the containment barrier I setup. Test came back negative for lead. A sample of old material was taken to be tested for asbestos at this time and we were told that the test would take 3 to 5 business days to receive the results.
Monday the 19th, the company returned to test and make note of the saturation level of the walls. They also used a 1-inch hole punch to help with air flow to dry out behind the wall.
Tuesday the 20th, they returned and took another moisture reading around 4pm.
Wednesday the 21st, no call no show.
Thursday the 22nd, we were told by the restoration company that they could not continue to work unless the leaking sanitary line from the upstairs bathroom was fixed. The restoration company also removed another small amount of ceiling to give more access to the plumber that we now had to contact. This was news to us because we were told by the restoration company that they would supply the plumber and all personnel to get our home restored. Thursday morning, we were told by multiple plumbing companies they were booked 2 weeks out or later into May. Thursday afternoon we were able to schedule two local plumbers on Friday. At this point we had a continuous leek into our kitchen that was not repaired for more than 7 days that caused even more damage.
Friday the 23rd, at 10 am the first plumber arrived and gave us a quote that could be started and completed on Monday the 26th.The second plumber called and arrived at 4 pm on Friday. He completed the required repairs and snaked the line within the hour. The plumbing repairs needed to be paid out of pocket and is not covered by the insurance. After informing the restoration company that the repairs have been made no further communication was made to us on when the demolition of the damaged materials would be removed, and restoration would continue.
Saturday the 24th, the insurance adjusted arrived to take pictures and gather information to provide an estimate on the cost it would take to restore our home.
Sunday the 25th, no call no show from the restoration company.
Monday May 26th, nothing happened on restoring our home.
Tuesday the 27th, we were told by our insurance adjuster to contact another restoration company they recommended, or we would no longer be able to stay in the hotel. We called the new restoration company, and they scheduled a team to come to our home Wednesday from noon to 1pm. Tuesday at 5pm the first company arrived after waiting all day for them to remove the dehumidifier.
Wednesday the 28th, the new restoration company has placed new containment barriers, placed HEPA air scrubbers and removed more cabinets. They took more pictures and samples to confirm if asbestos exists in the affected material. The asbestos samples would be overnights so they should know by Thursday afternoon if there is asbestos. I was amazed by the turn around of the test since I was told by the first company it would take 3 to 5 days for the test to come back.
Thursday, the 29th, the new restoration company removed damaged walls and ceiling and damaged drywall areas in the basement. During this removal of the ceiling, the remaining sanitary and supply lines also will need to be replaced due to small holes and leaks. All lines are old galvanized and or cast iron and need to be repaired before reconstruction can start. Called and made an appointment for the plumber to come out and give us a quote on the plumbing repairs. Test results are negative for asbestos. Dehumidifiers are set and fans are set to remove moisture from the wood joist.
Friday the 30th, the new restoration company removed the remaining damaged wall and ceiling and cleaned to remove possible hazardous mold. They also went to the basement and removed the damaged drywall and cleaned the cinder block that was also exposed to the sanitary wastewater. The cinder block will need to be dried and repaired. After the cinder block was exposed and cleaned it was found that there are holes and cracks to the foundation that will also need to be repaired and will not be covered by insurance because they are preexisting.
Saturday the 1st, tested wood to make sure progress was being made with using the dehumidifier and air flow fans.
Sunday the 2nd , day was to rest
Monday the 3rd, the new restoration company returned and verified all was dry and removed the equipment. The plumber stopped by that did the original repair and gave me a new quote on repairs needed to be completed on the newly exposed supply line and sanitary line. The cost of the plumbing repairs will cost around $2,300. The plumber will not be able to complete the repairs until May 13th. The plumbing repairs that need to be completed are both the sanitary and supply lines for the sink, shower and toilet. We received a quote from a licensed contractor to complete the reconstruction.
Tuesday the 4th, we found that permits will need to be pulled and all work will need to be certified by the inspector. This included the plumbing and electrical that will need to be upgraded since the frame and joist are now exposed.
Wednesday the 5th, We received a call to schedule a quote to meet on Friday from the sister company of the second restoration company to complete the reconstruction of the kitchen.
The walls have remained saturated from contaminated water for up to 2 weeks causing more damage and mold to grow behind the walls but has been taken care of by the second restoration company. Our insurance company is only paying $4500 for the restoration per the adjuster. We cannot afford to restore our kitchen or the new plumbing repairs cost.
Thursday the 7th, had an appointment to get another quote that will not be receive the dollar amount until May 13th but stated it would be 4 - 6 weeks out after quote is approved.
Friday the 8th, met with another contractor to receive a quote that wouldn't be able to star for another 4 to 6 weeks
Currently, my family has been in a hotel since April 16th with no confirmed date to be back in our home. We have been living on a tighter budget since I changed positions in the fall of 2020. We have depleted our funds and are out of money. We have one income for our household and cannot afford anything else. This situation is making my illnesses worse. We are stressed out and would like nothing more than to get our family back into our home. This situation has us stressed to the point that it is hard to sleep, get rest and focus on work.
We appreciate any help and donations. Thank you.
My upstairs sanitary line from the bathroom broke and gallons of contaminated water has destroyed our kitchen. The walls, ceiling, cabinets, and the counter have all been damaged by this contaminated water making our home inhabitable until the damaged soaked material, mold and mildew has been removed. This all started on the 16th around 7 pm and I was able to turn the water off because at that time I was unaware of where the water was coming from. I set out buckets to contain some of the water that was pouring from above the cabinets. Our home insurer placed us in a hotel. We were advised everything would be taken care of through our insurance except for our $1500 and the plumbing bill. The plumbing is considered normal wear of a home and will not be covered by our insurance company.
Saturday April 17th, we contacted a local plumbing company that said they would open the wall and make the repair. When the emergency plumber arrived that evening, they refused to do any work and within 5 minutes handed me a quote for a $500 repair and demanded that I pay the $125 emergency fee. The plumber also said they would call a restoration company. I had to ask them to call them in front of me and he left a voicemail. I refused to pay this fee since no service was completed. Saturday night and Sunday we received no communication from the plumbing company or the restoration company they claimed to work with.
Sunday the 18th, we contacted a restoration company that came out and set up a dehumidifier to start drying out the wet material. They also removed a small section of the ceiling, removed 2 cabinets, and replaced the containment barrier I setup. Test came back negative for lead. A sample of old material was taken to be tested for asbestos at this time and we were told that the test would take 3 to 5 business days to receive the results.
Monday the 19th, the company returned to test and make note of the saturation level of the walls. They also used a 1-inch hole punch to help with air flow to dry out behind the wall.
Tuesday the 20th, they returned and took another moisture reading around 4pm.
Wednesday the 21st, no call no show.
Thursday the 22nd, we were told by the restoration company that they could not continue to work unless the leaking sanitary line from the upstairs bathroom was fixed. The restoration company also removed another small amount of ceiling to give more access to the plumber that we now had to contact. This was news to us because we were told by the restoration company that they would supply the plumber and all personnel to get our home restored. Thursday morning, we were told by multiple plumbing companies they were booked 2 weeks out or later into May. Thursday afternoon we were able to schedule two local plumbers on Friday. At this point we had a continuous leek into our kitchen that was not repaired for more than 7 days that caused even more damage.
Friday the 23rd, at 10 am the first plumber arrived and gave us a quote that could be started and completed on Monday the 26th.The second plumber called and arrived at 4 pm on Friday. He completed the required repairs and snaked the line within the hour. The plumbing repairs needed to be paid out of pocket and is not covered by the insurance. After informing the restoration company that the repairs have been made no further communication was made to us on when the demolition of the damaged materials would be removed, and restoration would continue.
Saturday the 24th, the insurance adjusted arrived to take pictures and gather information to provide an estimate on the cost it would take to restore our home.
Sunday the 25th, no call no show from the restoration company.
Monday May 26th, nothing happened on restoring our home.
Tuesday the 27th, we were told by our insurance adjuster to contact another restoration company they recommended, or we would no longer be able to stay in the hotel. We called the new restoration company, and they scheduled a team to come to our home Wednesday from noon to 1pm. Tuesday at 5pm the first company arrived after waiting all day for them to remove the dehumidifier.
Wednesday the 28th, the new restoration company has placed new containment barriers, placed HEPA air scrubbers and removed more cabinets. They took more pictures and samples to confirm if asbestos exists in the affected material. The asbestos samples would be overnights so they should know by Thursday afternoon if there is asbestos. I was amazed by the turn around of the test since I was told by the first company it would take 3 to 5 days for the test to come back.
Thursday, the 29th, the new restoration company removed damaged walls and ceiling and damaged drywall areas in the basement. During this removal of the ceiling, the remaining sanitary and supply lines also will need to be replaced due to small holes and leaks. All lines are old galvanized and or cast iron and need to be repaired before reconstruction can start. Called and made an appointment for the plumber to come out and give us a quote on the plumbing repairs. Test results are negative for asbestos. Dehumidifiers are set and fans are set to remove moisture from the wood joist.
Friday the 30th, the new restoration company removed the remaining damaged wall and ceiling and cleaned to remove possible hazardous mold. They also went to the basement and removed the damaged drywall and cleaned the cinder block that was also exposed to the sanitary wastewater. The cinder block will need to be dried and repaired. After the cinder block was exposed and cleaned it was found that there are holes and cracks to the foundation that will also need to be repaired and will not be covered by insurance because they are preexisting.
Saturday the 1st, tested wood to make sure progress was being made with using the dehumidifier and air flow fans.
Sunday the 2nd , day was to rest
Monday the 3rd, the new restoration company returned and verified all was dry and removed the equipment. The plumber stopped by that did the original repair and gave me a new quote on repairs needed to be completed on the newly exposed supply line and sanitary line. The cost of the plumbing repairs will cost around $2,300. The plumber will not be able to complete the repairs until May 13th. The plumbing repairs that need to be completed are both the sanitary and supply lines for the sink, shower and toilet. We received a quote from a licensed contractor to complete the reconstruction.
Tuesday the 4th, we found that permits will need to be pulled and all work will need to be certified by the inspector. This included the plumbing and electrical that will need to be upgraded since the frame and joist are now exposed.
Wednesday the 5th, We received a call to schedule a quote to meet on Friday from the sister company of the second restoration company to complete the reconstruction of the kitchen.
The walls have remained saturated from contaminated water for up to 2 weeks causing more damage and mold to grow behind the walls but has been taken care of by the second restoration company. Our insurance company is only paying $4500 for the restoration per the adjuster. We cannot afford to restore our kitchen or the new plumbing repairs cost.
Thursday the 7th, had an appointment to get another quote that will not be receive the dollar amount until May 13th but stated it would be 4 - 6 weeks out after quote is approved.
Friday the 8th, met with another contractor to receive a quote that wouldn't be able to star for another 4 to 6 weeks
Currently, my family has been in a hotel since April 16th with no confirmed date to be back in our home. We have been living on a tighter budget since I changed positions in the fall of 2020. We have depleted our funds and are out of money. We have one income for our household and cannot afford anything else. This situation is making my illnesses worse. We are stressed out and would like nothing more than to get our family back into our home. This situation has us stressed to the point that it is hard to sleep, get rest and focus on work.
We appreciate any help and donations. Thank you.
Co-organizers (2)
Lucas Wright
Organizer
Lansing, MI
Krystal Dunbar
Co-organizer